"How fitting that the Seahawks beat the Colts 18-16 this season with Indianapolis scoring the only touchdown of the game and Jason Myers making six kicks?"
Many teams are now going longer distances to 1st downs on 4th ('n failing) while eschewing field goals.
I’m surprisingly optimistic. Our special teams is clearly stronger. Our defense is peaking, and we learned more lessons against the Rams’ offense than they did against us. Mike had overloaded the unit with too many new concepts that week and they hadn’t quite come to terms with playing in a loud stadium at home. Those defensive miscues are behind us.
Our run game is really stepping up and the pass blocking is more confident. That makes everything easier.
But my main insight is that Sam has gone through a full cycle and seems to be both more confident and wiser than most acknowledge. He started out on fire. Defenses adjusted and he came back down to earth. He went through a stretch with varied turnovers, mostly due to luck, decision making, and getting punked on quick (non progression) reads. He hasn’t had an issue with inaccuracy, which tells us that his mechanics are solid. Now, he’s dealt with injury and was successful. He’s weathered storms, and I get the feeling that they are largely behind him.
My prediction: Sam plays great. Hopefully, that’s accomplished without needing heroics, but he can turn up the wick, if needed.
The audience didn’t expect Samwise Gamgee to become a hero. We shouldn’t take Samwise Darnold for granted.
My gut is telling me this game won’t be that close. I can appreciate how close the series has been this year, BUT…
Our team has been peaking and it seems the Rams are running out of gas. I am also 100% sure that our defense is pissed about giving up 37 points and letting Puca run wild. They will want a chance to prove that the t was a fluke and show what they are capable of. We seem to have figured out how to run the ball and Darnold seems to have learned to protect the rock.
That's where I am. I can't imagine that the defense is happy they gave up 580'ish yards in the last game, and most of that in 3 quarters, and one drive in OT. Way too many chunk plays. Puka got way too much space. We'll make adjustments. Now does that mean we'll hold them to 10 points? No. But holding them under 20 would be enough I think, if we can pull that off.
We're looking for reasons to believe that this game will be different than the prior two matchups, because both of those games were scary. We could have won or lost both games, and I think we were luckier to get a win than we were unlucky to get a loss. What's different now?
My greatest hope is that our running game, and O-Line in particular, are playing at a higher level than what the Rams have seen from us so far. I know K9's workload has been managed all year, but with Charbs out, I say give him 30 touches and we won't regret it.
The Seahawks have failed to record a sack in only two games all year. Guess which two games.
Can’t get ahead of ourselves. These 2 coaches and teams are so good. This really is the SB. Both are better than whoever comes out of the AFC. I’m thinking Stafford may be getting “tired” considering how poor he’s been these 2 games. Yet, they were in place to finish in the 4th.
Davante's situation with the Rams reminds me a bit of Kupp's last season with the Rams where he was used fairly heavily early on and then almost completely phased out by the end of the season. I don't know why this happens though as Kupp still has some juice left in the tanks and I think Adams does as well.
I think this will be more along the lines of the first game with lower scoring (on the Ram's part) with the Hawk defense just kicking ass all game.
I think after the Super Bowl win in 2013 I had a Seahawk wallpaper that had a picture of John, Pete, and Russell holding the Lombardi Trophy with 'Left no Doubt' written at the bottom.
I hadn’t realized CMC did so poorly against the NFC West this season. With the number of touches he gets, it sure looks like he could be cooked. At least he won’t be the massive difference maker like he was in the past. Time (and hits) comes for all RBs.
Did I miss the answer to the headline question? Did the article imply another blowout prediction this weekend?
I am still undecided. Last week I thought was pretty clear that the Hawks were going to lay the hammer for much of the reasons that Joe stated.
This week is different in that the Rams are a much better team. If everything was equal: health, rest, neutral site ... I would think these two teams are pretty equal.
But they are not. Not even really close. Seahawks have a huge rest advantage, and they are playing at home. What does that do for the trenches? Rams have been playing football and flying all over the country. Does that create an edge, a big edge, or is this such a big game that their is not advantage because the Rams will be ready?
Not sure yet, still soaking in all the info I can get.
Good to see you Mike. Stafford 48% last week. 56% I think it was against Carolina. Yes winning but those are horrible percentages from the “MVP” QB. But McVay knows how to coach. Going to be hard game but yes I’m hoping you’re right.
To answer your headline question: I’d be surprised. Wouldn’t their previous two games suggest a 3pt win by either would be their version of a laugher?
That said, I LOVE surprises especially the Niners kind. Which you predicted but I think your evidence was stronger on that one. I’ve still got nightmares of Puka running wild and free in our secondary.
If you exclude the Rams game, the Seahawks have given up 2 TDs in the last six games.
Seahawks win 27-17. Barner goes off, RS returns punt for TD. Defense holds it down. That is my prediction...begaw!
"How fitting that the Seahawks beat the Colts 18-16 this season with Indianapolis scoring the only touchdown of the game and Jason Myers making six kicks?"
Many teams are now going longer distances to 1st downs on 4th ('n failing) while eschewing field goals.
Like, the Bears for instance. If Ben Johnson kicked field goals they win that game.
I’m surprisingly optimistic. Our special teams is clearly stronger. Our defense is peaking, and we learned more lessons against the Rams’ offense than they did against us. Mike had overloaded the unit with too many new concepts that week and they hadn’t quite come to terms with playing in a loud stadium at home. Those defensive miscues are behind us.
Our run game is really stepping up and the pass blocking is more confident. That makes everything easier.
But my main insight is that Sam has gone through a full cycle and seems to be both more confident and wiser than most acknowledge. He started out on fire. Defenses adjusted and he came back down to earth. He went through a stretch with varied turnovers, mostly due to luck, decision making, and getting punked on quick (non progression) reads. He hasn’t had an issue with inaccuracy, which tells us that his mechanics are solid. Now, he’s dealt with injury and was successful. He’s weathered storms, and I get the feeling that they are largely behind him.
My prediction: Sam plays great. Hopefully, that’s accomplished without needing heroics, but he can turn up the wick, if needed.
The audience didn’t expect Samwise Gamgee to become a hero. We shouldn’t take Samwise Darnold for granted.
Noice, Sea Hawk Run.
My gut is telling me this game won’t be that close. I can appreciate how close the series has been this year, BUT…
Our team has been peaking and it seems the Rams are running out of gas. I am also 100% sure that our defense is pissed about giving up 37 points and letting Puca run wild. They will want a chance to prove that the t was a fluke and show what they are capable of. We seem to have figured out how to run the ball and Darnold seems to have learned to protect the rock.
Hawks 30 - Rams 16
That's where I am. I can't imagine that the defense is happy they gave up 580'ish yards in the last game, and most of that in 3 quarters, and one drive in OT. Way too many chunk plays. Puka got way too much space. We'll make adjustments. Now does that mean we'll hold them to 10 points? No. But holding them under 20 would be enough I think, if we can pull that off.
We're looking for reasons to believe that this game will be different than the prior two matchups, because both of those games were scary. We could have won or lost both games, and I think we were luckier to get a win than we were unlucky to get a loss. What's different now?
My greatest hope is that our running game, and O-Line in particular, are playing at a higher level than what the Rams have seen from us so far. I know K9's workload has been managed all year, but with Charbs out, I say give him 30 touches and we won't regret it.
The Seahawks have failed to record a sack in only two games all year. Guess which two games.
Can’t get ahead of ourselves. These 2 coaches and teams are so good. This really is the SB. Both are better than whoever comes out of the AFC. I’m thinking Stafford may be getting “tired” considering how poor he’s been these 2 games. Yet, they were in place to finish in the 4th.
https://www.seahawks.com/video/2025-nfc-championship-seahawks-vs-rams-hype-video
Mike Macdonald seeing into the future
Good vid. Thanks.
Davante's situation with the Rams reminds me a bit of Kupp's last season with the Rams where he was used fairly heavily early on and then almost completely phased out by the end of the season. I don't know why this happens though as Kupp still has some juice left in the tanks and I think Adams does as well.
I think this will be more along the lines of the first game with lower scoring (on the Ram's part) with the Hawk defense just kicking ass all game.
A quote from one of my favorite movies Remember the Titans: "Leave No Doubt" Here we gooooo!
I think after the Super Bowl win in 2013 I had a Seahawk wallpaper that had a picture of John, Pete, and Russell holding the Lombardi Trophy with 'Left no Doubt' written at the bottom.
Begaw!!!
I hadn’t realized CMC did so poorly against the NFC West this season. With the number of touches he gets, it sure looks like he could be cooked. At least he won’t be the massive difference maker like he was in the past. Time (and hits) comes for all RBs.
I was amazed he made it healthy through the season. I faded him in fantasy this year and I'm for sure going to fade him next year.
Did I miss the answer to the headline question? Did the article imply another blowout prediction this weekend?
I am still undecided. Last week I thought was pretty clear that the Hawks were going to lay the hammer for much of the reasons that Joe stated.
This week is different in that the Rams are a much better team. If everything was equal: health, rest, neutral site ... I would think these two teams are pretty equal.
But they are not. Not even really close. Seahawks have a huge rest advantage, and they are playing at home. What does that do for the trenches? Rams have been playing football and flying all over the country. Does that create an edge, a big edge, or is this such a big game that their is not advantage because the Rams will be ready?
Not sure yet, still soaking in all the info I can get.
Good to see you Mike. Stafford 48% last week. 56% I think it was against Carolina. Yes winning but those are horrible percentages from the “MVP” QB. But McVay knows how to coach. Going to be hard game but yes I’m hoping you’re right.
To answer your headline question: I’d be surprised. Wouldn’t their previous two games suggest a 3pt win by either would be their version of a laugher?
That said, I LOVE surprises especially the Niners kind. Which you predicted but I think your evidence was stronger on that one. I’ve still got nightmares of Puka running wild and free in our secondary.